Tom Wood

Tom Wood is the Technical Department Manager for PMI’s Vertical Rescue Solutions and one of VRS’ longest instructors, teaching with us for 10 years. He is also a 20-year veteran of the Alpine Rescue Team in Evergreen, Colorado, and is a U.S. Mountain Rescue Association (MRA) Terrestrial Rescue delegate to the International Commission for Alpine Rescue (ICAR). He is also a National Commission for Cave Rescue (NCRC) level 2 trained cave rescuer, and an approved National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA) Practical Examiner for TTT1 and TTT2.

Tom is a Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT®) Level 3 Supervisor, and is a member of their Board of Directors. He actively participates in the safety and education committee for the National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE).

Tom comes from a commercial and residential construction background, and he learned firsthand the importance of jobsite safety and compliance while serving as the safety manager for two different roofing companies. A 1990 graduate of Kent State University’s Photojournalism program, Tom served as a Combat Photographer for the United States Marine Corps Reserves for six years. He is a freelance writer on the side, who has authored a memoir, Trading Steel for Stone, and contributed to several rescue and industrial safety books and publications. His extracurricular activities include mountaineering, writing, ice climbing, rock climbing, caving and trail running. He lives in Conifer, Colorado with his wife and three children.